DOBBIES REVEALS WHAT TO DO IN YOUR GARDEN THIS SPRING
DOBBIES REVEALS WHAT TO DO IN YOUR GARDEN THIS SPRING
Spring brings renewed energy to gardens across the country, making it the ideal moment to roll up your sleeves and get outdoors. As spring approaches, Dobbies Garden Centres is shining a light on the key tasks that will help gardens thrive in the months ahead. Whether you’ re discovering gardening for the first time or already know your way around the potting shed, Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton, shares his expert guidance on how to refresh outdoor spaces and lay the groundwork for a successful year of growing.
Nigel’ s spring gardening checklist includes:
• Clean and prepare
• Water collection
• Planting and propagation
• Lawncare
• Grow your own
• Container planting
• Spring gardening must-haves
Clean and prepare Nigel says that getting your garden ready for the growing season starts with a good clear out, and early spring is the perfect time to tackle the jobs that set everything else up for success. Nigel advises beginning with a general tidy, removing any lingering winter debris and clearing moss and algae from hard surfaces. Patios and paths can be freshened up with the help of a power washer or cleaning product such as Patio Magic, leaving outdoor spaces ready for the busiest time in the gardener’ s calendar.
Attention can then turn to pruning, with spring marking the final window for a number of key plants. Nigel notes that now is the last chance to prune buddleia, lavender and roses before new growth begins. Autumn-fruiting raspberries should be cut back to ground level to encourage strong, healthy canes later in the year while soft fruit bushes benefit from being pruned into a goblet shape to improve air flow and cropping. Early spring is also the cut-off point for pruning top fruits like apple and pear trees, helping to maintain shape and support a productive harvest.
Beds and borders should also be refreshed at this time. Removing weeds and cutting back any tired winter growth helps make room for the season ahead, while a layer of mulch or organic compost can improve soil structure, retain moisture and give plants a nutrient boost. Nigel recommends mulching with Dobbies’ multi-purpose compost with John Innes – this is great for nutrients and also helps suppress weeds and protect plants from cold snaps. With frost still possible in early spring, Nigel suggests keeping an eye on the forecast and protecting more vulnerable plants with fleece if temperatures dip.
Water collection Planning how to use water more efficiently is an important job to tick off in spring, before the warmer months place extra demand on the garden. Nigel explains that setting up rainwater harvesting now allows gardeners to take advantage of seasonal rainfall, helping to cut down on water use if summer turns hot and dry.
Water collection isn’ t limited by space, and Nigel notes that almost any garden can get started. Sheds, greenhouses and even garages can all be used to harvest rainwater, provided they’ re fitted with gutters and a downpipe that leads to ground level. By putting simple systems in place early, gardeners can build up a valuable supply of water ready for the peak growing season.
Collected rainwater is particularly beneficial for young plants as it’ s naturally low in pH and free from the chemicals found in mains water.
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